Why do Sikhs celebrate Holla Moholla ?

This Sikh festival is celebrated in the month of Phalguna , a day after Holi. Every year a festival is held at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab, India. Hola Mohalla was started by Guru Gobind Singh – Sikhs would gather for military exercises and mock battles on the day following the festival of Holi. It reminds the people of valour and defense preparedness. A number of feats can also be seen, for example: Gatka (mock encounters), tent pegging, bareback horse-riding and standing up straight on two speeding horses. This three-day festival also includes music and poetry competitions.

There are also a number of durbars where Sri Guru Granth Sahib is present and kirtan and religious lectures take place. On the last day a long procession, led by the Panj Pyaras, it starts from Takth Keshgarh Sahib, one of the five Sikh religious seats, and passes through gurdwaras, for example at Qila Anandgarh, Lohgarh Sahib, Mata Jitoji, ending at the Takth.

For people visiting Anandpur Sahib, langars (voluntary community kitchens with sewa (community service) take place.

The tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh felt that Holi, had lost its original meaning over the years. It was no longer a celebration to reaffirm fraternity and brotherhood. In 1757 AD he decided to revive the spirit of Holi and weave its essence into a festival created in the Khalsa traditions.

Early morning prayers at the gurdwaras mark the beginning of the festival. The Guru Granth Sahib is brought out with ceremony and placed on the dais. Akhandapathas, Kar seva, Shabads and Kirtans are performed The Karah Prasad is distributed to the congregation, after it has been consecrated by the Guru. At noon, men and women from all castes and creed eat together at the guru ka langar.

Stories are narrated about the bravery of Guru Gobind Singh in prose and verse. Tribute is also accorded to Guru Hargobind, who led his army to free 52 captive kings from the Gwalior jail in 1612 AD. Colorful processions are also organized on Holla Mohalla.

Researching this Article
The Internet has so many useful resources, for example historic references. This article is an adaptation from items that I found while researching the original question. For example: http://www.sikhiwiki.org is an online encyclopedia that is edited in a collaborative manner around the world –It has so much history and appears well moderated.

Interestingly, whilst researching I came across an excellent new online video, called Sikh on The Street: please visit:
http://www.restoringthepride.com/sos.html

I was deeply moved by this video (also downloadable), it showed us that there is still much to do to communicate the wonders of Sikhism, who we are and what we believe in – Interfaith communication is essential to help avoid ignorance and disrespect from each other.

The Sikhs contribution to world history is amazing. The sacrifices for freedom should always be remembered in our hearts.